Fri, June 22, 2012
Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris Review
Unraveling
By Elizabeth Norris
Publication date: April 24, 2012
Balzer + Bray, 445 pages
Source: Publisher
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.
— Goodreads.com description
I’m a little torn on how I feel about Unraveling by Elizabeth Norris. Let me explain why…
On the pro side:
- Janelle is pretty darn tough, a quality I love in a main character.
- FORBIDDEN LOVE.
- Ben was very cute and vulnerable.
- Sci-fi action meets apocalypse time. BOOM!
But, as much as I loved reading a thrilling sci-fi read, I thought Unraveling was simply too far-fetched. Sure, sci-fi is out there, but I found myself going “Um, okay?” during the explanation paragraphs and sort of, gulp, skipping over them. Bad reader, I know, but I just couldn’t follow!
Plus, Janelle was super involved in her father’s work as an FBI agent. Really? Would FBI agents really leave their case files out and discuss ongoing initiatives with one of their co-workers teenage daughters? Just…not likely to me.
Also, the first half of the book reminded me of Roswell, which is my favorite show ever, so that’s a good thing, but…it was just so damn similar, I couldn’t shake a feeling like, “Yes, I’ve seen this before.”
Still, if you are a fan of the boy saves girl/they can’t be together/ahh the world is ending type story, the pros will likely outweigh the cons.
9 Comments
Leave a comment
About Me
I read. A lot. Mostly whatever YA novels the library has on hold for me that week. Sometimes grown-up books if my book club makes me.
Currently Reading
Jessica Darling's It List #1: The (Totally Not) Guaranteed Guide to Popularity, Prettiness & PerfectionBy Megan McCafferty
OMGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rie @ Mission to Read said:
Yes! These were my problems with this story as well. The implausibility and explanations that didn’t actually make scientific sense just put me completely off this book.
[Reply]
Posted on: Fri, June 22, 2012
Lisa said:
This totally reminds me that I need to watch Roswell.
Lisa recently posted..See ya later, taters.
[Reply]
Anna Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 11:13 am
Um, Lisa. LISA. I’m not sure if I’m the only person who thinks this, BUT ROSWELL IS THE BEST TV SHOW EVER.
[Reply]
We Heart YA Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Nope, not the only one.
We Heart YA recently posted..Discussion (and Poll) on Sex vs. Violence in YA Lit
[Reply]
Posted on: Fri, June 22, 2012
Ashley said:
Thanks for your review! I’ll be getting a copy of this book soon so it’s nice to hear your thoughts. It does sound like parts were pretty farfetched, but I’ll still give it a try!
Ashley recently posted..Of Poseidon by Anna Banks
[Reply]
Posted on: Fri, June 22, 2012
Sophia said:
Yeah, I was pretty torn on this book, too, Anna. Mainly, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. But now that you mention your cons, I do agree with you! Oh, and Anna, you said “Struck was simply too far-fetched.” Do you mean Unraveling or actually Struck? Because I haven’t read Struck yet, haha. Anyhoooo, wonderful review! <3
Sophia recently posted..Meant to Be by Lauren Morrill
[Reply]
Anna Reply:
June 22nd, 2012 at 4:50 pm
Oh goodness me that’s a ridiculous typo on my part! Thanks for catching!
[Reply]
Posted on: Fri, June 22, 2012
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook said:
Umm . . . Did you say Roswell similarities? I’m in! I wasn’t sure if this was my kind of book, and I can see there were some things you didn’t love about it, but since you said it reminded you of Roswell, well I have to try it out now. I loved Roswell (particularly the first season!)
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted..Review: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
[Reply]
Posted on: Fri, June 22, 2012
Jasmine Rose said:
Roswell! I just watched this show back in March and fell completely, utterly in love. I’m glad to hear the comparison. Hopefully my sucky memory holes will mean Unraveling doesn’t seem too similar to it for me ;]
[Reply]
Posted on: Fri, June 22, 2012